Our verdict
OkCupid matches people on answers to hundreds of optional questions, so you see how well you line up before you message. The core features are free, it is one of the most inclusive mainstream sites, and it is owned by Match Group.
Bottom line: Choose OkCupid if values and conversation matter more to you than photos. If you want a bigger local pool, pair it with Hinge or Tinder.
Great for: Matching on values and answers as well as photos
Not ideal for: People who want a quick, swipe-only experience.
How OkCupid works
OkCupid matches people on what they believe and how they live, as well as on their photos. You answer optional questions about lifestyle, politics, children, weekends and dealbreakers, say how you’d like a partner to answer and mark how important each question is to you. OkCupid turns that into a match percentage for every profile you see.
You browse profiles one at a time in DoubleTake or scroll through suggestions, and you like the ones you’re interested in. You can send a first message, called an intro, but it waits in the other person’s Intros until they like you back. Once you’ve both liked each other, the conversation moves to your messages. In practice, that means fewer unwanted messages and more conversations that start from shared answers.
What you can do for free
OkCupid’s free version is one of the more generous among mainstream dating sites. For free, you can:
- answer as many questions as you like and see your match percentage with everyone;
- like profiles, with a daily limit;
- message people you’ve matched with;
- choose from a wide range of gender and orientation options and add pronouns.
Paying mostly adds convenience: unlimited likes, Dealbreaker filters that hide people outside your must-haves, and seeing who has already liked you. See our OkCupid pricing guide for what each plan includes.
Who you’ll meet on OkCupid
Most members are roughly 20 to 40 and live in or near cities. OkCupid is owned by Match Group, the company behind Tinder and Hinge, and it has a long-standing reputation for being inclusive. The app lists over 60 gender identities and sexual orientations, from pansexual and asexual to non-binary and genderfluid, and profiles can show pronouns. That’s why it remains popular with LGBTQ+ and non-binary daters.
OkCupid also lets people say openly that they’re in an open relationship, which suits members who are ethically non-monogamous. If that isn’t for you, a quick look at someone’s relationship status tells you where they stand.
Outside big cities the pool is noticeably thinner than Tinder’s, and as on any free site, some profiles are inactive. Check when someone was last online before you invest time in a long message.
OkCupid vs Hinge and Tinder
- Compared with Hinge, OkCupid gives you far more detail before you like someone, through hundreds of optional questions. Hinge’s prompts are quicker to read, and every Hinge profile shows dating intentions, which helps if you want something serious. See our Hinge review.
- Compared with Tinder, OkCupid is slower and more thoughtful. Tinder gives you a much bigger pool and faster matches, but far less to go on. See our Tinder review.
- Compared with Plenty of Fish, the other big free option, OkCupid focuses more on values and compatibility. Our Plenty of Fish vs OkCupid comparison goes into the details.
Who shouldn’t use OkCupid
OkCupid isn’t the best fit if you want quick, swipe-only dating, if you live somewhere rural or if you’d rather a site pick matches for you. For guided, marriage-focused matching, eHarmony is a better match, although you’ll need a paid plan to message.
How to get more from OkCupid
Answer at least 50 questions and mark the ones that truly matter as very important. The match percentage only becomes useful once it has something to work with. Write one specific paragraph about your life rather than a list of adjectives; our dating bio guide has examples. Then open conversations with a question you answered differently. It’s the easiest opener on the site.
OkCupid at a glance
| Audience | Mostly 20–40; strong in cities and among LGBTQ+ daters |
|---|---|
| Typical goal | Dating and relationships |
| Free version | Yes — Matching questions and match percentage, Messaging with matches, Many gender and orientation options, Browsing and basic filters |
| Paid from | ≈ $10/mo (see all plans) |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Match percentage based on real answers
- Free messaging with matches
- Over 60 gender and orientation options, plus pronouns
- Detailed profiles
Cons
- Answering questions takes time
- Best filters are paid
- Smaller in rural areas
- Some inactive profiles
Key features
- Matching questions
- Answer questions about values, lifestyle and dealbreakers and see a match percentage with each person.
- Inclusive identities
- Wide gender and orientation options, plus pronouns on profiles.
- Dealbreakers
- Paid members can make filters strict so people outside them never appear.
- Intros
- First messages wait in the other person’s Intros until they like you back, which keeps inboxes calmer.
How much does OkCupid cost?
| Plan | Indicative price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Matching questions and match percentage, Messaging with matches, Many gender and orientation options, Browsing and basic filters |
| OkCupid Basic | ≈ $10–25/mo | No ads, Unlimited likes, Dealbreaker filters, See all your Intros at once |
| OkCupid Premium | ≈ $20–40/mo | Everything in Basic, See who likes you, See public answers before answering, 3 SuperLikes a week |
Prices are indicative, in US dollars unless another currency is shown, and were checked September 23, 2026. Apps often charge different amounts by country, age, platform and plan length — confirm the final price in the app before paying.
Want the full breakdown and ways to save? Read our OkCupid pricing guide and free trial options.
Is OkCupid safe?
OkCupid offers reporting and blocking. Keep chats in the app until you trust someone, and video-call before meeting.
Before meeting anyone, follow our verification checklist.
Not sure OkCupid is right for you?
These alternatives may suit you better depending on your goals. See all OkCupid alternatives.
Best for: Finding a relationship in your 20s and 30s
- Detailed, conversation-friendly profiles
- Strong focus on real relationships
- Free version is usable, with free faith and ethnicity filters
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $16.99 (US App Store)
Best for: Free messaging and searching a big pool yourself
- Free messaging with matches
- Huge, broad membership
- You can search and filter yourself
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $19.99 (US App Store)
Best for: A big, well-moderated swipe app
- Big pool, with 100M+ Google Play downloads
- Photo verification required in the US
- Free in-app voice and video calls
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $2.99 for Boost (US App Store)
Compare OkCupid
OkCupid FAQ
Is OkCupid free?
Yes. You can answer questions, see match percentages, like profiles with a daily limit and message your matches for free. Paid plans add unlimited likes, Dealbreaker filters and the option to see who likes you. You can cancel at any time and drop back to the free version.
Can you message someone on OkCupid without matching?
You can send a first message, called an intro, but it waits in the other person’s Intros until they like you back. Once you both like each other, the chat moves to your messages. This keeps inboxes calmer but means a message alone won’t get you noticed.
Is OkCupid good for serious relationships?
It can be. The matching questions help you find people who share your values, and many members want a relationship. But OkCupid also has people looking for casual dating, so read profiles carefully. If you want marriage-focused matching, eHarmony or Hinge may suit you better.
Is OkCupid a dating app or a website?
Both. OkCupid works on iOS and Android and in any web browser, and your account, questions and messages sync between them. That makes it one of the few big dating sites where you can comfortably answer questions and write your profile on a computer.
Is OkCupid good for LGBTQ+ people?
Yes. OkCupid lists over 60 gender identities and sexual orientations, lets you add pronouns and has long been popular with LGBTQ+ and non-binary daters. Its matching questions also help you find people who share your values as well as your orientation.